Maine has recently embarked on an ambitious journey to install energy-efficient electric heat pumps and heat pump water heaters at a pace unparalleled in the United States. With a population of 1.4 million, the state has subsidized the purchase of over 100,000 heat pumps in the last decade.
These devices warm and cool buildings, dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and are particularly effective when powered by clean electricity. About 85 percent of these heat pumps are installed in households, with the rest serving commercial properties. Today, approximately 1 in 5 new homes built in Maine features a heat pump.
Setting Records in Heat Pump Adoption
Heat pumps have been growing in popularity over the past decade, partly due to a growing need for more environmentally friendly energy sources. Nationwide, they outsold fossil fuel furnaces in the first half of 2023.
However, Maine is a league above the rest of its country, with an installation rate of three times the national average. Due to government incentive programs, heat pump water heaters have become so affordable that they now constitute nearly a third of Maine’s electric water heaters.
Maine’s dominance in the heat pump market could serve as a blueprint for other states in need of climate-friendly energy alternatives. The state has a significant amount of clean electricity; renewables made up 72 percent of its power supply in 2021. In addition, approximately 60 percent of new electric water heaters sold in the state are heat pumps, compared to just 2 percent nationwide.
The Role of Heat Pumps in Home Electricity
Heat pumps are central to home electricity. They replace appliances that emit significant quantities of greenhouse gases. Heat pumps can be up to four times as effective as gas furnaces, offering significantly greater efficiency. They achieve this by extracting heat from the air to heat spaces, eliminating the need to burn fossil fuels. Additionally, heat pump water heaters store water heated by solar and wind energy during the day for use when renewable electricity production decreases.
Widespread adoption of heat pumps has the potential to make a major impact in reducing harmful greenhouse gas emissions. For example, the state of California heavily depends on fossil fuels for water heating, with gas water heaters constituting 90 percent of the market. A 2021 study conducted by the nonprofit New Buildings Institute suggests that a transition to heat pump water heaters in the state could result in a remarkable reduction of up to 77 percent in greenhouse gas emissions related to water heating.
Efficiency Maine Leads Statewide Heat Pump Revolution
An independent group called Efficiency Maine has been at the forefront of Maine’s statewide transition toward energy-efficient heat pumps. By collaborating with major retailers, this organization has successfully lowered the retail price of heat pumps, making sustainable heating solutions more accessible to a wider audience.
The organization’s comprehensive list of registered heat pump installers allows consumers to easily connect with trusted professionals, facilitating a smooth transition to eco-friendly heating systems.
Efficiency Maine’s heat pump program addresses the diversity of housing in the state, with approximately 70 percent of homes relying on boilers that burn oil or another fuel to heat water for radiators. As a result, the program initially concentrated on promoting heat pumps that provide additional heating through mini-split systems.
Since technology has evolved to enable heat pumps to function effectively in extreme cold, Efficiency Maine now advocates for whole-home setups. These, combined with federal tax credits and state rebates, significantly reduce the installation cost of heat pump systems, making them accessible to low-income and moderate-income households, as well as other residents.
Overcoming Challenges in Heat Pump Adoption
Although Maine’s example and related research have proven the benefits of heat pump adoption, other states will need to overcome significant challenges to implement their own successful adoption strategies.
Finding contractors experienced in heat pump installation and willing to undertake the difficult work can be challenging. The process of applying for rebates and other state incentives can also be cumbersome.
Income-based rebates pose challenges for states when they need to verify the income of residents. In Maine, various state agencies maintain databases of residents eligible for low-income programs. Efficiency Maine leverages these databases to verify rebate eligibility. Meanwhile, moderate-income residents are required to submit copies of their tax returns. This meticulous approach ensures that rebates are distributed fairly and in line with residents’ financial situations.
How Can Other States Replicate Maine’s Heat Pump Success Story?
Maine’s progressive approach to energy-efficient heating serves as an inspiration to other states grappling with similar climate dilemmas.
By taking inspiration from Maine’s successful model of implementing extensive heat pump programs, states nationwide can expedite the shift to sustainable heating solutions, resulting in substantial reductions in carbon footprints and a greater emphasis on environmentally conscious residential heating.